U.S. Senator Marco Rubio’s (R-FL) office will host in-person and virtual Mobile Office Hours next week to assist constituents with federal casework issues in their respective local communities. These office hours offer constituents who do not live close to one of...
President Biden’s Misguided Policy toward the Houthis Hurts Americans U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) June 27, 2024 National Review …Two weeks into his presidency, President Biden removed the Houthis from the foreign terrorist organization list…. [He] also ended...
According to reports, the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) has identified more than 400 illegal migrants who came across U.S. borders as part of an ISIS-affiliated human smuggling network. U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) has been warning about this...
Last summer, corals in the Florida Reef Tract came under severe heat stress and experienced coral bleaching. Anomalous ocean temperatures may cause similar impacts this summer. The federal government has the authority to respond under emergency provisions of the Coral...
Each year, the U.S. Department of State releases its Trafficking in Persons Report. This report assesses countries in their efforts to counter human trafficking and identifies the most successful strategies for reducing the widespread evil of modern day slavery. U.S....
June 24, 2024 marks the 3rd anniversary of the Champlain Towers South collapse in Surfside, Florida. U.S. Senators Marco Rubio (R-FL) and Rick Scott (R-FL) introduced a resolution recognizing the fallen victims and the bravery of the first responders. “Today, we honor...
Washington, D.C. — Today, U.S. Senator Marco Rubio (R-FL) expressed his concern to Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Acting Administrator Peter Gaynor on the high rate of denials of applications for private property debris removal assistance. Citing potential wildfire threats, and the unsafe and unsanitary living conditions for Hurricane Michael survivors, Rubio urged FEMA to “swiftly reconsider, and approve, applications for private property debris removal.”
A timeline of Rubio’s efforts related to Hurricane Michael can be found here.
The full text of the letter is below.
Dear Acting Administrator Gaynor:
As you know, recovery efforts following Hurricane Michael have been extremely difficult for Northwest Floridians, and the federal government must work with local communities in response to the unprecedented devastation. One area that continues to affect the health and safety of residents in the Panhandle is private property debris removal. While I am grateful for the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) agreeing to extend the program for 60 days, I write to express concern with regard to the high rate of denials of applications for assistance. Communities continue to struggle with the large amount of debris from private property, and local officials indicate that this poses a significant health and safety threat to the public-at-large. Thus, I request for FEMA to work with localities to swiftly reconsider, and approve, applications for private property debris removal.
With the debris posing an increased threat for wildfires, it is critical that FEMA takes into account the extraordinary circumstances our communities face, and work with local officials to protect the public health and safety of residents. The longer we wait for debris to be removed, the greater that threat increases for unsafe and unsanitary conditions for remaining survivors. Thus, I respectfully request you work with state and local communities to consider and approve these applications in a timely manner.
Thank you for your attention to this matter.
Sincerely,